Chapter 33 – Oh No, I’m Bored!

  Jun De stepped off the flying vessel onto the ground of the Tranquil Mountain Sect, and a wide smile stretched across his face as the familiar sights and sounds greeted him.

  The stone paths, the rustling leaves and the distant cries of spirit beasts all felt the same as before but still new after being away for over two months.

  When he reached the safety of his courtyard on the Upper Ridge, he raised his arms toward the sky and took a deep breath.

  “Home sweet home!” He exclaimed in relief, laughing in happiness at finally returning.

  Jun De examined his courtyard and cave to find it in pristine condition.

  After ensuring everything was as he left it, he walked to the center of his courtyard and drove the staff of the War Flag of Dominion into the ground, like an astronaut planting his flag or a man declaring that this was his property.

  The white banner unfurled with a rustle as it caught the wind and danced in the sunlight as if it were absorbing it.

  Jun De nodded in satisfaction. It added a certain majesty to the place and was a reminder of not only what he had accomplished but of the promise he made to never leave the Sect again.

  He sat down in his favourite chair, the same wooden one he always used that was sheltered by the broad canopy of a peach tree and began to brew tea with practised ease.

  The water hissed in a pot that used spiritual energy to boil while the tea leaves unfurled, and steam rose lazily from his cup once it was poured.

  Jun De leaned back and let his gaze drift to the sky to watch the clouds pass overhead and see if he could find the shapes of animals or objects in them. It had been a familiar routine for him, and he could easily pass weeks doing nothing but this.

  Days passed, all filled with idle meditation, walks around his small pond, and long naps in his chair.

  But, by the third day, Jun De encountered a problem.

  He was staring at the sky, which was frustratingly scarce of clouds, and let out a groan.

  “I’m bored.” He muttered.

  Jun De scowled as he picked up a small pebble and tossed it into the pond. He watched it land with a ‘plop’ that sent ripples through the still water.

  “This is the Inheritance Site’s fault! It gave me a taste for adventure, and now everything feels dull.”

  Just as Jun De was contemplating if he should dig holes in the dirt for entertainment or maybe go into town to buy some wine, there was a knock at the gates to his courtyard.

  Opening them, Jun De found that it was Ren Qiu, who was smiling at him while holding a familiar jug in his hand.

  “I was worried that you had returned to secluded cultivation, Senior Brother Jun. I wanted to share a jug of Summer Ember Wine before you did so!”

  Jun De’s eyes lit up as the unmistakable smell of Summer Ember Wine reached his nose, and he grinned as he led Ren Qiu into the courtyard and sat him down on a chair next to his.

  Ren Qiu’s eyes were locked onto the War Flag of Dominion as he entered, and he sucked in a sharp breath as he passed it. He could feel the spiritual energy within the Flag, something that was beyond his abilities to wield.

  ‘Of course, Senior Brother Jun would place something like that so causally in his courtyard. Is it a subtle reminder of the difference between them?’ Ren Qiu thought to himself as he sat and cracked the wax seal on the jug of wine.

  Ren Qiu had just reached the 3rd Level of Qi Condensation shortly after returning to the Sect, but he still felt inadequate compared to Jun De.

  It didn’t bother him as much as it had before; even his clan members acknowledged how special Jun De was, and his father had sent him a letter proclaiming how proud he was that Ren Qiu had forged a bond with such a talent.

  Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

  They poured themselves drinks under the rustling leaves of the peach tree, and Jun De finally noticed the faint glow of Qi surrounding Ren Qiu. It was still unstable, allowing Jun De to discern that Ren Qiu had recently broken through.

  “Congratulations on reaching the 3rd Level of Qi Condensation.” Jun De said, raising his cup to Ren Qiu in a salute, which Ren Qiu matched before drinking.

  “Thank you. It took a few days to consolidate my gains from the Inheritance Site. It truly was a unique opportunity.” Ren Qiu replied, and Jun De nodded but refrained from stating his true thoughts.

  ‘That place was a hell hole, and I’m glad it’s gone. The Emerald Cloud Pavilion should be ashamed for having created it!’ Jun De exclaimed silently as he drowned his emotions with the fine wine.

  Jun De took another sip of Summer Ember wine and let the warmth burn a trail down his throat before it bloomed like the late summer sun in his chest and limbs. He let out a soft sigh; eyes half-closed in contentment as he relaxed in the gentle sunlight filtering through the leaves above.

  Across from him, Ren Qiu leaned back in his chair and swirled the contents of his cup. He had an alternate reason for coming to Jun De’s courtyard today, and he was deciding on how to broach the subject.

  “Have you heard the latest news?” Ren Qiu asked carefully.

  Ren Qiu knew that Jun De was close to the Elders of the Outer Sect and had a connection to the Vice Sect Master, Elder Mu Yanyu. The Sect was filled with rumours about Jun De finding the inheritance and the elder safeguarding it for him.

  There were rumours that she was already his master or that she would be selecting him for her peak when Jun De entered the Inner Sect. There was also more…salacious gossip that the pair were entering into a more intimate Master-Disciple relationship.

  Regardless of whether it was true or not, Ren Qiu needed more information about the Sect’s intentions for the future, and he thought Jun De may know more than himself.

  Jun De raised an eyebrow at Ren Qiu and shook his head.

  “No, I haven’t left this courtyard since we got back.” Jun De replied with a simple statement and looked expectantly at Ren Qiu to continue.

  “The Sect was not overly pleased with our performance. Despite you receiving the Inheritance, they say the Outer Sect is not experienced enough with combat, and our losses were too great. They are restructuring the Task Board.”

  “Oh?” Jun De responded, and he sat more upright in alarm. This news could put him in danger in the event he needed more Contribution Points. He had plenty for now, but what if he ran out and needed more?

  There was no well in hell he was going to do anything dangerous.

  ‘Maybe I’ll go back to the Outer Valley. It was pretty peaceful there.’ Jun De mused.

  If anyone else who had been there had heard that statement, they would have spat out blood. The others had been chased and nearly killed by the beasts, while Jun De had just strolled around like it was nothing due to his luck.

  Ren Qiu nodded before continuing.

  “Nearly all of the missions now have some combat element. Patrols, subjugation squads, hunting beasts in the Outer Valley. They are pushing the Outer Sect to harden their resolve and hone their combat skills.”

  “Did we truly perform that poorly? I thought the Outer Sect Disciples handled themselves well.” Jun De responded, although truthfully, he hadn’t been around them much.

  “In comparison to the loose cultivators, we were found lacking. Sect Disciples have better equipment, cultivation and techniques, but loose cultivators fight for their lives nearly every day.”

  “I see.” Jun De said. Even though he hadn’t seen any loose cultivator fight on the Site, he could imagine that having to struggle for resources would make someone tougher during a fight.

  “They are also opening the Tower of Tempered Will to the Outer Sect. It’s normally reserved for the Inner Sect, but every Outer Sect disciple will be required to enter in a month’s time.” Ren Qiu added.

  Jun De froze at the news, with his cup halfway to his mouth.

  “I’ve never heard of the Tower of Tempered Will.” Jun De said carefully.

  ‘Please don’t be dangerous.’ Jun De repeated the sentence as Ren Qiu explained.

  “The Tower is an opportunity unlike any other in the Sect. Every floor is designed to temper a different aspect. Mind, body, spirit. Some say the top floor can even help someone break through to Foundation Establishment. It’s costly to operate, which is why they usually reserve it for Inner Sect Disciples. We are very lucky.” Ren Qiu said, trying to gauge Jun De’s reaction.

  The truth was that Ren Qiu had only heard a rumour about the Tower’s opening, and he was hoping that Jun De would confirm it. After all, Elder Mu was said to be overseeing the preparations.

  “Will everyone in the Sect be required to enter?” Jun De cautiously asked. Ren Qiu observed Jun De’s reaction and determined that Jun De truly hadn’t heard about the Tower’s opening.

  ‘But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t find out soon.’ Ren Qiu thought.

  “In the Outer Sect, yes. Most of the Inner Sect are already in the Foundation Establishment stage, and I’m not sure how much use it would be for them.” Ren Qiu said.

  Jun De poured himself another cup and downed it all at once. The wine did nothing to ease the sense of dread settling into his chest.

  The Tower of Tempered Will sounded terrible, as bad or worse than the Inheritance Site. Jun De had absolutely zero interest in going into it. In fact, he was trying to think of a way to actively avoid it altogether.

  ‘The Foundation Establishment Stage.’ Jun De thought.

  All he needed to do was to enter the Foundation Establishment stage in the next month, and he could avoid entering the Tower.

  There was only one problem, a single thing holding him back from being able to reach Foundation Establishment from the 3rd level of Qi Condensation in a month.

  ‘Ahh! Why do I suck at cultivation!’ Jun De screamed internally.